This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/world-latin-america-16349118

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Venezuela sees 'record murder rate' in 2011 Venezuela sees 'record murder rate' in 2011
(about 11 hours later)
A Venezuelan campaign group says the country has suffered a record number of murders in 2011.A Venezuelan campaign group says the country has suffered a record number of murders in 2011.
The Venezuela Violence Observatory says at least 19,336 people have been killed this year, an average of 53 a day.The Venezuela Violence Observatory says at least 19,336 people have been killed this year, an average of 53 a day.
The figures suggest Venezuela's murder rate is the highest in South America and four times that of Mexico.The figures suggest Venezuela's murder rate is the highest in South America and four times that of Mexico.
Criminal violence is set to be a major issue in next year's elections, when President Hugo Chavez is seeking another term in office.Criminal violence is set to be a major issue in next year's elections, when President Hugo Chavez is seeking another term in office.
"We must inform the nation that 2011 will end as the the most violent year in the nation's history," the Venezuela Violence Observatory (OVV) said in a news release."We must inform the nation that 2011 will end as the the most violent year in the nation's history," the Venezuela Violence Observatory (OVV) said in a news release.
Its figures - based on research by several Venezuelan universities - suggest that in 2011 Venezuela had a murder rate of 67 per 100,000 inhabitants.Its figures - based on research by several Venezuelan universities - suggest that in 2011 Venezuela had a murder rate of 67 per 100,000 inhabitants.
That compares to 32 per 100,000 last year in neighbouring Colombia and 14 per 100,000 in Mexico, two countries suffering widespread drug-related violence.That compares to 32 per 100,000 last year in neighbouring Colombia and 14 per 100,000 in Mexico, two countries suffering widespread drug-related violence.
The Venezuelan government has recognised the problem of violent crime, though its figures are much lower. The Venezuelan government has recognised the problem of violent crime, though its figures are lower.
Last February, Interior Minister Tarek El Aissami told Congress the murder rate was 48 per 100,000 inhabitants.Last February, Interior Minister Tarek El Aissami told Congress the murder rate was 48 per 100,000 inhabitants.
'Impunity''Impunity'
The OVV says violent crime has risen steadily in Venezuela since 1999 when President Chavez took office. In that year only 4,550 murders were registered.The OVV says violent crime has risen steadily in Venezuela since 1999 when President Chavez took office. In that year only 4,550 murders were registered.
The group did not give an overall reason for the rising violence, but said the problem was fuelled by impunity, with the great majority of killings going unpunished.The group did not give an overall reason for the rising violence, but said the problem was fuelled by impunity, with the great majority of killings going unpunished.
A high level of gun ownership is also a factor.A high level of gun ownership is also a factor.
Along with the murder rate, levels of robbery and kidnap have also been going up.Along with the murder rate, levels of robbery and kidnap have also been going up.
In November, President Hugo Chavez announced the creation of a new armed force - the People's Guard - to improve public security.In November, President Hugo Chavez announced the creation of a new armed force - the People's Guard - to improve public security.
Thousands of troops were deployed to support police on the streets of Caracas and other regions where crime levels are high.Thousands of troops were deployed to support police on the streets of Caracas and other regions where crime levels are high.
Several Latin American countries have murder rates far higher than the global average of 6.9 murders per 100,000 people.Several Latin American countries have murder rates far higher than the global average of 6.9 murders per 100,000 people.
The highest rate in 2010 was in Honduras, which suffered 82 murders per 100,000 inhabitants, according to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime.The highest rate in 2010 was in Honduras, which suffered 82 murders per 100,000 inhabitants, according to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime.